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| Image retrieved from attractingwellness.net |
Focus on Positive
Focusing on the negative, getting stuck in our own personal pitty party is easy. But does this focus on the negative serve us in being happier? Not a bit.
Everyone has bad days, everyone faces challenges. We can't stop life from happening, but we can decide how we attack these challenges, we are in control of the path we take to navigate these challenges.
A great lesson is taken from my Gramps. His philosophy was simple, any day you were able to sit up and take nourishment was a good day. In his mid-80's he had a triple by-pass and had a valve replaced in his heart. Knowing he'd be down to recover for a while and that he needed a new roof on his house, he decided to do it before his surgery. Our family doctor told me once that regardless of the difficulties ageing gave him, he never remembered my Gramps ever not smiling, nor did Gramps ever have a headache. On my mother's side, their farm had burned during the war. A family of 8 lived in an 8 x 12 foot wood shed for the winter because it was more important to rebuild the barn first. When the house was rebuilt they had to get a permit to reclaim construction materials from an abandoned house because during WWII, these resources were needed for the war effort. It fostered a make due attitude that resides with my mother to this day. An attitude that you do what you can, pray, live well and the Lord will offer a means to provide. Both of my parents have a sense of humor, it is what gets them through the hard times.
I also fondly remember a friend of mine. He had Parkinsons, he could no longer work with the tools and worked in supervision for the last few years before retirement. His wife, who had suffered migraine headaches for years, had a devastating stroke that put her in the nursing home with no real hope for returning home. Never once did I hear him complain about his situation. He was grateful for what he did have, he made sure his friends knew just how important their friendship was to him. He was involved, he tried to make a positive impact with everything he did and was loud and proud in being grateful to God for what he did have. When he passed away the impact was devastating, but also inspiring. At his wake it was obvious how far reaching his positive impact was.
Complaining Isn't a Fix
Complaining doesn't fix anything, it highlights the problems but offers no solutions. By nature I am a fixer. While it is helpful in problem solving to brainstorm and analyze a problem, complaining about it doesn't help. What it does do is place emphasis on the problem. A pity party highlights what's wrong, fueling the cycle of sadness and depression. We choose to find our out, we do have the power to alter how we view a situation. Is it a problem, or an opportunity? No one else can choose for us. Joy or sorrow, it is our choice. We choose how we react to a situation, we choose is we will not react at all. It is in our hands how we will face a situation.
the Weekend Challenge
Take time this weekend to think of ALL the positive things in your life. What are you grateful for? Let's see if your list grows as we go through the weekend. Comment on this post, whether you're doing this weekend before Thanksgiving or at any time of the year, and let me know what YOU are grateful for.
Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks to GolladayFit for the Weekend Challenge idea.
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